The deadline for U.S. citizens to have passports for re-entering the country by air or sea from Canada, most of the Caribbean and Mexico has been delayed a week, to Jan. 8, 2007.

The earlier deadline was changed to avoid inconveniencing holiday travelers, according to U.S. State Department spokeswoman Laura Tischler. Congress is considering extending the deadline even further, she said.

Americans will still be able to visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without a passport after the new rules take effect.

On Jan. 1, 2008, passports will be required for all land-based border crossings to Canada and Mexico as well.

For more information, visit travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778.